I HAVE A COUPLE of cups in my kitchen. They both look much the same, white, same size, same weight. But there is a big difference between them. One of them I bought a number of because they were cheap, I am down to one or two of those because everytime I bang them on a tap accidently a piece breaks off and I have to throw it away. The other one cost me ten dollars and it is as tough as old boots. So many times I have accidently knocked it about and thought uh oh! there goes my ten dollars. But to my surprise it has survived without even the slightest chip.

What am I getting at here? Well the Bible calls us vessels (cups) for the Masters (God) use. As we look at the New Testament we can see that the first Christians; Paul, Peter, the other Disciples and the early Church were far from fragile vessels for God. They took a lot of knocks and it did not break them, in fact they expected hard times. It is easy to skip over some of the things the New Testament says they went through. Take for example James chapter 1v2-4; 'Brothers, is your life full of difficulties and temptations? Then be happy, for when the way is rough,your patience has a chance to grow. So let it grow, and don't try and squirm out of your problems. For when your patience is finally in full bloom, then you will be ready for anything,(not fragile) strong in character ,full and complete'.

Or 1 Peter chapter 1v 6-7; ' So be truly glad! There is wonderful joy ahead, even though the going is rough for a while down here. These trials are only to test your faith to see if it is strong and pure. It is being tested as fire tests gold and purifies it.......

Romans 8v16-17; ' For His Holy Spirit speaks to us deep in our hearts and tells us that we really are Gods children. And since we are His children we will share His treasures--for all God gives to His Son Jesus is now ours to. But if we are to share His glory, we must also share His suffering. Yet what we suffer now is nothing compared to the glory He will give us later.....

We don't always understand and appreciate that God is constantly working in our lives to turn us from fragile vessels to antifragile vessels for Him. From vessels that are easily broken to vessels that are as tough as old boots for God.

Thats why Peter said to the Christians in his first letter; ' Beloved, don't be surprised at the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you'!